Chapter 5 When Reapers Walk In

EMILIA POV

The front door burst open before Marco could argue further. Five men in Crimson Reapers colors strutted in like they owned the place. I recognized their president immediately Victor "Viper" Kane, a man whose reputation for cruelty was legendary even by MC standards.

Kane was tall and lean, with pale eyes and graying hair slicked back from his angular face. Expensive suit instead of leather, but the gun under his jacket was visible to anyone who knew how to look.

"Marco," Kane said pleasantly. "Sorry to interrupt your family reunion."

"Victor." Marco's voice was ice, cold. "You've got some balls showing up here."

Kane's gaze swept the room, cataloging the number of Iron Serpents present before landing on me. His smile turned smug.

"And you must be the famous Emilia," Kane said, taking a step in my direction. "You've grown up nicely."

Every Iron Serpent in the room tensed. I felt Axel move up behind me, his presence solid and reassuring.

"Back off, Victor," Marco warned.

"Relax," Kane said, raising his hands in mock surrender. "I just came to pay my respects. Vincent was a worthy adversary."

"You killed him," I said before I could stop myself.

Kane's smile widened. "Did I? That's a serious accusation, sweetheart."

"Don't call me sweetheart," I snapped.

Kane laughed, genuinely delighted. "Oh, I like her. She's got fire, just like her old man."

"State your business and get out," Marco said flatly.

Kane's expression turned serious. "My business is simple. Vincent's dead, which means his territory is up for grabs."

"Like hell it is," Tank growled from across the room.

"Now, now," Kane said mildly. "Let's be civilized about this. I'm prepared to make a generous offer for the Iron Serpents' operations."

"We're not selling," Marco said firmly.

"Everyone has a price," Kane replied. "Even you, Marco."

"Not everything's for sale," I said, surprising myself by speaking up.

Kane's attention shifted back to me. "Everything's for sale, princess. It's just a matter of finding the right currency."

The endearment made my skin crawl. Axel's hand settled on my lower back, a possessive touch that didn't go unnoticed.

"Ah," Kane said with interest. "The famous Ghost. I've heard about your work.  Such an Impressive kill count."

"Not impressive enough," Axel said quietly. "Yet."

The temperature in the room dropped another ten degrees. Kane's men shifted nervously, hands moving toward weapons.

"Gentlemen, please," Kane said with amusement. "No need for threats. Yet."

He turned back to Marco. "You've got seventy, two hours to consider my offer. After that, I will be forced to take a more direct approach."

"There's nothing to consider," Marco said.

Kane shrugged. "We'll see. Grief has a way of changing a man's perspective."

His gaze lingered on me one last time. "Miss Romano, it's been a pleasure. I do hope we'll see more of each other."

"Not if I can help it," I muttered.

Kane laughed as he headed for the door. "I don't think you have as much control over your circumstances as you believe, sweetheart."

The Reapers filed out as suddenly as they'd arrived, leaving the clubhouse buzzing with tension.

"That was a threat," Tank observed unnecessarily.

"No shit," Marco said grimly. "Double the watch rotation. Nobody rides alone."

"What about the funeral tomorrow?" Carmen asked.

Marco's jaw clenched. "We proceed as planned. But everyone stays armed and alert."

The club members began to disperse, discussing security arrangements and contingency plans. I remained frozen by the wall, processing what had just happened.

"Are you okay?" Axel asked quietly.

I nodded, though I wasn't sure it was true. "He's going to try to take over Dad's business."

"He's going to try," Axel agreed. "But he won't succeed."

"How can you be so sure?"

Axel's green eyes were cold. "Because I will kill him first."

The casual way he said it sent a chill down my spine. This was what Marco had been talking about the man Axel had become in the years he'd been gone.

"You can't just kill him," I said weakly.

"Watch me," Axel replied.

Before I could respond, my phone started ringing. Unknown number again, but this time local.

"Hello?" I answered cautiously.

"Miss Romano?" An unfamiliar male voice. "This is Detective Ray with the Desert Ridge Police Department."

My stomach dropped. "Yes?"

"I'm sorry to bother you so late, but I understand you just returned to town. I was hoping we could meet tomorrow to discuss your father's case."

I glanced around the clubhouse, where several conversations had stopped. "What about it?"

"There are some inconsistencies in the witness statements that I'd like to clarify with you," Detective Ray said. "Would ten AM work?"

"I... yes, I suppose."

"Excellent. The station on Fourth Street.” The line went dead.

"Who was that?" Marco asked immediately.

"Detective Ray," I said. "He wants to meet about Dad's case."

Marco's face darkened. "You're not going."

"Actually, I am," I said firmly. "Someone needs to find out what really happened that night."

"We know what happened," Marco said. "The Reapers killed him."

"But can you prove it?" I asked. "Because Kane seemed pretty confident he couldn't be touched."

Marco and Axel exchanged a look I couldn't interpret.

"Em, there are things you don't understand" Marco started.

"Then explain them to me," I interrupted. "I'm not a child anymore, Marco. Stop treating me like one."

"Some things are better left alone," Axel said quietly.

I looked between them, frustration building. "Are you seriously going to shut me out of my own father's murder investigation?"

"We're trying to protect you," Marco said.

"From what? The truth?"

"From getting killed," Axel said bluntly. "Kane wasn't making idle threats tonight. He wants something, and he thinks you're the key to getting it."

"What could I possibly have that he wants?" I demanded.

Again, that look between Marco and Axel.

"What aren't you telling me?" I asked.

Marco sighed heavily. "Dad left something behind. Something valuable. And Kane thinks you know where it is."

"What kind of something?"

"The kind that could end the Reapers permanently," Marco said grimly. "Or get us all killed trying to use it."

My phone buzzed with another text. This time, it wasn't from David or Sofia.

Unknown number: I had to get through hoops to secure your number, east if I might say. Your father hid something that belongs to me. Find it, or your family pays the price. You have 72 hours. 

I showed the message to Marco and Axel. Both men's faces went deadly pale.

"Pack your things," Axel said immediately. "You're not staying here tonight."

"Where am I going?" I asked.

"Somewhere safe," Axel replied. "My place."

"Absolutely not," Marco said flatly.